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So which is better in the end - Android or iOS?
Alexander Smirnov
Victor Podvolotsky
Author of Lifehacker.
Hello. This question is asked by many gadget buyers, but it cannot be answered unambiguously. Choosing one of these systems depends only on your preferences and priorities - each platform has its own strengths. Let's list the main ones for smartphones.
Pros of iOS
iOS is an ecosystem
It is clear that there is no concept of an ecosystem for mobile devices as such. It refers to the connection between devices.
Photos from any device are uploaded to a shared cloud, text written on an iPad can be continued on a Mac, a shared password chain, and so on.
There is no such thing among Android gadgets. The only one trying to do anything even close is Samsung. The rest seem to have completely forgotten about this feature.
iOS is a long-term support
Unlike Android devices, iPhones, iPads, Watches and Macs receive regular updates. And this has been happening for at least four years . A living example: iPhone 5s from 2013, which runs the latest iOS 11 wonderfully.
The longest-lived Android phones are the Nexus and Pixel smartphones. The rest can only guess whether at least the next version of the operating system will be released on their device.
iOS is finely tuned to the hardware of Apple devices
No matter what anyone says, Apple has improved iOS 11. Even the most buggy OS is again well optimized: it works perfectly on most devices. There are exceptions, usually of a local nature.
This usually happens with the release of a new operating system: any Apple device may work a little slower with the new firmware. BUT it happens as smoothly and without jerking as before.
Android smartphones cannot do this a priori. Each manufacturer has a number of their own add-ons, including the shell. And they are all optimized differently, so they spend the same resources.
According to user reviews, even the Galaxy S8 can be difficult to open some standard applications. For example, Phone or Camera.
Many experts recommend buying smartphones with “bare” Android, or installing it manually. And there is some truth in this.
iOS is a secure system
Apple's operating system is considered secure for a reason. This is a closed "axis".
Applications can only be installed from the App Store; you cannot simply download the installer from the Internet and install the program.
That’s why there are no specific antiviruses for iPhone, they are simply not needed. The same cannot be said about Android owners, who have a much higher chance of catching a virus.
Invest in protection
Along with regular updates, consider investing in other technologies that will help protect your personal and sensitive data. Using a VPN connection is also a great way to secure your mobile devices. If you have a secure VPN, you can transfer banking information, credit card information, and other personal information through unsecured Internet servers without exposing yourself to much risk.
Companies that allow employees to use their own devices or assign them company-owned smartphones may need stronger security. There are quite a large number of options on the market. Either way, ensure your safety before a problem occurs.
Additional links on the topic:
- What is VPN
- Protecting Android from mobile threats
- Mobile security and tips for protecting your smartphone
- Mobile threats: protecting smartphones and tablets
Pros of Android
Huge selection of devices
While iPhones are available for a lot of money, anyone can afford an Android smartphone. And the choice among them is huge.
Manufacturers fall into all price categories. Those who want something more expensive take a top-end Samsung or HTC; those who want something cheaper take a simple ZTE, Elephone, Xiaomi, and so on.
And it often happens that a mid-class Android smartphone is quite comparable in characteristics to the same iPhone SE. Even the camera may be approximately the same.
Supports two SIM cards and microSD cards
iPhone owners have always suffered from lack of memory. Yes, now there are models with 128 and 256 GB, but they also cost accordingly.
Android users, as a rule, have access to memory expansion out of the box. I bought a smart phone for 10,000 rubles with 4 GB of memory, bought an additional card for 2,000 rubles for 128 GB, and enjoy life.
But the second SIM card in iPhones is really not enough. Sometimes situations arise when it is simply necessary.
For example, one is used for friends and at home, the second for work. I don’t want to carry two devices with me in order to be always in touch. It’s easier to plug in a second SIM card.
Uploading any files to your Android device is easy
Whether it's music, an application, a document or something else, it can all be downloaded to your Android device in a couple of clicks. Straight from your computer.
Yes, Apple partially solved the issue with files by creating an application of the same name. True, it still only works with cloud storage, and you cannot access them without the Internet. And who thinks that downloading something through iTunes is easy - argue with me.
Android can be customized
If owners of iOS devices can change the minimum for themselves (ringtone, wallpaper, etc.), then there are much more settings in Android.
In it you can change any small element of the interface and make it “unique”. Settings sliders change, icons are replaced. But you can download a couple of plugins and change the appearance of the operating system beyond recognition.
Wide range of devices
The first advantage that I would like to highlight is the wide selection of gadgets. While Apple releases 3-4 variations of its iPhone annually, Android device manufacturers produce several dozen, or even hundreds of smartphones per year. Of course, with such production volumes, a variety of types of phones appear on the shelves.
Do you want one with a front teardrop? Welcome. Don't like the cutout for the camera on the screen? Pay attention to devices with a pop-up front camera. Do you want the device to have/absent a 3.5mm jack? No problem, take whichever one you need. Don't like the interface on your smartphone or the case material? There are gadgets from other vendors for you. In any case, you will find the device that is most convenient for you.
Who won then?
I would say that friendship won. Whatever one may say, not a single operating system is inferior in current realities. iOS and Android are very similar, the differences are minimal.
It all depends on the habit and tasks for which a particular device is used. Personally, I choose iOS; all my i-devices are connected by a common ecosystem.
Google is stuck with the current version of the “green robot” and is not making any significant changes. We are waiting for global changes in the mysterious Fuchsia OS. They say it will become more universal, one step closer to iOS.
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